'Hear my Story:' Enhancing pupil voice in SEND education through digital storytelling

This presentation shares findings from Hear My Story, an inclusive, evidence-informed digital storytelling programme that supports children and young people with SEND to articulate their experiences of education. The project addresses longstanding concerns about the underrepresentation of pupil voice in educational decision-making (Lundy, 2007; Urbina-Garcia et al, 2021; Gillet-Swan & Baroutsis, 2023), particularly for learners with additional needs. Piloted in primary schools across the North-East of England, the programme enables pupils to create digital storybooks using images, text and emojis to express what supports or hinders their learning. Outcomes demonstrate increased engagement, more responsive educational planning, and practical improvements such as tailored equipment or learning environments. The initial stage of empirical research has been undertaken via participatory research involving both Health and Educationally focused professionals - including educators, educational psychologists and pupils - this approach has ensured that the programme supports accessibility, contextual relevance, and meaningful application in practice. A co-designed iPad app is now in development to scale this impact and embed pupil voice practices sustainably. Grounded in inclusive pedagogy (Florian & Black-Hawkins, 2011) and the capabilities approach (Hart, 2012), this project demonstrates how technology can facilitate child-led participation and inform school practice and policy. The session will invite dialogue on the role of digital innovation in amplifying marginalised voices in SEND contexts.